Dearly Beloved,
First, I want to make sure to let you know that THIS Sunday, we are moving to using our screens exclusively for the order of worship. There will be announcement sheets for you to take home if you wish, but all worship-related materials will be on our screens beginning on Sunday. Please speak with me if you have any questions or suggestions about this shift.
Second, if you did not receive a star word on Sunday, let me know, and I'll draw one out for you and get it sent your way. If you were on Zoom on Sunday, I have yours -- they should get in the mail today or tomorrow.
My word this year is "COMMUNITY." An online dictionary offers this definition: "a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals." Richard Millington, founder of FeverBee and online community consultant divides community into 5 classifications:
Interest. Communities of people who share the same interest or passion.
Action. Communities of people trying to bring about change.
Place. Communities of people brought together by geographic boundaries.
Practice. Communities of people in the same profession or undertake the same activities.
Circumstance. Communities of people brought together by external events/situations.
I am a little bit surprised that values are not placed on this list. After all, we as a church are a community brought together by shared values. These go deeper than common interests or passions. I mean, some of us are passionate about music, others social justice, art, family, farming and our list could go on an on. In fact, as a congregation, we have identified 5 core values that we share:
1. Extravagant Welcome
2. Lifelong Journey
3. Engaging our World
4. Ministry of all Believers
5. Authentic Community
When we receive new members, we do not ask them about their interests, we ask about their commitment to these core values and to that which undergirds them all: following Christ's way of love. Some congregations ask people about particular beliefs. Not us. You can believe all sorts of things and be a part of our congregation. Instead, we ask about values and about a shared commitment to Christ's way of love.
This way may look different for many of us. Our experience and interpretation of the world around us may vary greatly. And yet, we seek to grow together. We seek to be in honest and authentic relationship with one another, ourselves and God. We seek to hold love at our center. This is what makes us community.
I'd love to hear your thoughts about community in the coming days and weeks. And I'd love to reflect with you on your Star Word -- what does it mean? What does it mean to you?
In love and peace,
Thandiwe
